The Promise Realized Through Faith
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Romans 4:13-16
As we’ve been reading, God’s promise to Abraham was not based on the law, but on the righteousness that comes through faith. What does this mean? It means that all who believe—by being united with Christ—become heirs of that promise.
I love how John MacArthur explains it:
“If only those who perfectly keep the law—an impossible standard—could receive the promise, then faith would be worthless and the promise meaningless. A promise that depends on an unattainable condition is no promise at all.”
Justification is through faith alone! BUT the power of justification is God’s great grace, not a person’s faith. The promise rests entirely on this Grace!
APPLICATION
I received justification by my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the justification itself is a gift of grace from God bestowed through my belief. What is belief? It is not just knowing and agreeing that Jesus lived, died, and rose again…no, it is a belied AND trust in Jesus to be Lord of my life because it is now His. That belief is more of a continuous action demonstrated in how I live my life IN BELIEF IN JESUS. This is born out in fruit I produce out of my life…that fruit is an indicator and evidence of my Salvation. Saying some words as an insurance policy and then not living it out, is not a genuine belief in God.